New threats to Governor arise in 'Walking Dead'

NEW YORK — “Brother against brother,” says The Governor fiercely. “Winner goes free. Fight to the death.”

Is this any way to run a town?

AMC’s zombie drama The Walking Dead ended the first half of this season with a wrenchingfaceoff: roughneck brothers Merle and Daryl were pitted in a bloody test of loyalty to The Governor as he rallied his flock – the residents of Woodbury, Ga. – to goad them on.

That was December, and things haven’t settled down as the hit horror serial returns for another eight episodes Sunday at 9 p.m. The death match continues. The Governor, played by David Morrissey, is increasingly oppressive, even deranged.

“With Woodbury, he has built a sanctuary, a place of safety where humanity can start again,” says Morrissey. “But the negative side of power is like a wobbly tooth for him. He just can’t stop sticking his tongue in there. There’s something gloriously painful about it, and he likes that.”

He seems to be losing his marbles as he sees threats both within and beyond the town walls. This has placed on his enemies list not only the zombies – with their ploddingly persistent appetite for human flesh – but also mortals, who are far less predictable. These include the ragtag refugees led by Sheriff Rick Grimes hiding out in an abandoned prison nearby.

“You can adapt to the zombie threat, and that’s part of what Woodbury is about,” says Morrissey. “But the new problem that has emerged in Season 3 is human beings. What you have now is two communities of humans in conflict. That’s much more complicated.”

In other words: What’s scarier than the undead? The living!

In the past, The Governor exhibited a softer side. His most touching moments showed his desperate attempts to stay connected with Penny, his undead little girl. Removing her from the cell in his apartment where he kept her chained, he lovingly combed her wiry zombie hair in one memorable scene, while she snarled and snapped fiercely.

Strange as it was, the scene made perfect sense to Morrissey.

“You have a sick child, and you’re trying to do normal things that just aren’t normal anymore,” he says. “There’s great certainty and comfort in the past, and he was trying to re-create that.”

But in December’s finale, Penny was stabbed by Michonne, an intruder out to kill The Governor.

“He loses the one thing he lives for,” says Morrissey, adding with a bit of understatement, “Now he’s full of anger.”